Tad Hamilton he’s not, but you can still win a date with…drum roll…forward Shawn Matthias.

That’s right ladies, the Panthers will be auctioning off a date with Matthias on Friday at Opium Nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 12th annual “Dream Date” Auction.

Handsome fella, Matthias.

Don’t fret guys. Dates with Panthers Ice Dancer Simona – you know she’s star material when she only needs one name — and FSN’s Allison “easy on the eyes” Williams will also be auctioned off.

In all, there will be 20 bachelors and bachelorettes up for bidding. I won’t be one of them because, well, they’re trying to raise some money here

Whoever lands Matthias will get the Xtreme Date Package, which includes racing, putt-putt golf and dinner courtesy of Xtreme Indoor Karting in Fort Lauderdale. Simona’s date will enjoy swimming with dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium and dinner for two at Mango’s restaurant in South Beach.

It should be a fun event. I know the Panthers often get a lot of grief for their promotions/events, sometimes rightfully so, but this one is for a truly good cause – 100 percent of the event’s proceeds will go towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s South Florida chapter. There’s no better charity than charity for kids. So props to the Panthers.

Last year’s event, incidentally, was sold out and raised more than $35,000 — granting the wish of seven children.

Here’s the lowdown for Friday’s event at Opium:

Doors open at 7 p.m. The charity auction starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. VIP packages with drink tickets and exclusive access are also available for $40.

Tickets to the event, which is hosted by E! Correspondent and Y-100 host Michael Yo, are available online at www.dreamdateauction.net or by calling Cynthia Cortez at 954-967-9474 (ext. 320).

Getting Reasoner to beef up the 4th line is good. Bowman or daddy got him for a reason
in that big first trade with Atlanta. Now we can see some of the more offensive wings and prospects on that line or third, while keeping a ear to the wire or potential trade for a scorer. Still not clear what will be the 1st D line..in mid season…

What’s the problem with Kyle Wellwood? He’s considerably younger (27) more talented and would come at the same price. 2 former Nucks teammates are already in our line-up. He’s played on Bernier’s line. He’s had moderate success with the Nucks, but as a Leaf not so long ago, he was playing solidly.

Marty Reasoner is a good face off man and p-killer, but that’s that. He’s not worth a thread, nor is a 31 year-old AHL lifer, 2 days past their acquisition.

I respect Dale Tallon and I know he’s looking at the long view of matters, but there’s no reason the fan base here should be treated so meagerly when proven UFA talent seems to be headed everywhere else but here. Something about this club: It seems they can’t even stumble accidently into a free agent with any goal-scoring abilities. It seems deliberate.

He lacks the Reasoner’s IQ and NHL years . Tallon said at the outset he wants an intelligent solid center. That you don’t measure on past scoring only. As for setting a little Vancouver
shop here that’s not the best idea. Much better picking a real scorer unhappy somewhere else as we go along during the season.

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About the author

HARVEY FIALKOV, a tennis-playing sportswriter who grew up in Long Island following the dynastic Islanders, is the new Panthers beat writer for the Sun Sentinel and looking forward to writing about the best professional sports team in Broward County.